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Author
Topic: Live Webcast of AMG 2007 (Read 7535 times)

I've been playing around with an idea and want everyone's feedback. I have a friend who does live webcasts of different club events he promotes. This gave me the idea to maybe do the same thing during AMG this year; possibly doing a live broadcast of the Meet & Greet and the social hour.

This would allow those who can't be with us to participate in another way and possibly draw greater interest for future gatherings.

I know there's an issue of privacy involved. What I'm thinking is password protecting the website where the live streaming would occur and only release the password and website to long standing members via a pm request prior to AMG.

Hey Dennis,I don't have a problem with it....but then I have my pic posted anyway. However, I'm not sure it will have the impact you desire....it will basically be a video thread of a bunch of people hanging out and chatting with eachother. Will someone have a web cam and go around interviewing people? That is really the only way the video would be interesting. Having said that, it now takes on the likeness of a production with editing.... which may be more than you wanted to deal with. A poorly done video link might do more harm than good. Perhaps a post-event link to a photo gallery would be easier and more effective.

How would this work? Would there someone roving around with a camera doing individual and group "interviews," or would there just be a stationary camera taking a wide-angle picture of the event. (That would probably be kind of boring to look at.)

I immediately freeze in front of a camera and am therefore not enthusiastic about this idea. It would make me very self-conscious.

I can't even relax to take a picture of myself. For evidence, look at my photo.

This is exactly what I'm thinking. No roving reporter or interviews. Just a simple webcam off to the side pointing to a central spot with sound. It could also be made somewhat interactive where those who are watching could post comments. For some it probably will be boring. But I think it would add another dimension to the event allowing those who can't be there in person the opportunity to be a part in someway. The streaming video could also be archived and edited later.

How would this work? Would there someone roving around with a camera doing individual and group "interviews," or would there just be a stationary camera taking a wide-angle picture of the event. (That would probably be kind of boring to look at.)

I immediately freeze in front of a camera and am therefore not enthusiastic about this idea. It would make me very self-conscious.

I can't even relax to take a picture of myself. For evidence, look at my photo.

I like Craig's idea of creating a photo gallery to capture the spirit of the event. I suggest that each attendee submit their five or six (or seven or eight) best pictures of the event and that they be compiled into an on-line album. To protect privacy, we should ask for permission of the people being photographed before posting their pictures.

I don't care for the idea of webcasting portions of the AMG 2007 events. It's not that I'm concerned about being identified as postive, as I've had my photo on the forums since I joined. What I do not like is knowing that what I say or do over any period of time may be recorded. It destroys my sense of privacy, and inhibits me from opening up. If an event is going to be webcast, you'll likely not find me in attendance. I realize I sound like I'm throwing a "wet blanket" on this idea, but I do feel strongly in this regard.

A gallery of still photos would be just fine by me.

Regards,

Henry

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"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders

I have taken every opportunity to get in front of the media on RWCA issues. Over the past couple of years, I have met a lot of people here in the forums but, have never met another forum member in person. I would enjoy saying hello in the webcast.

There must be some costs involved, is there funds available? Anyway, like the idea. Have the best dayMichael

However I'm curious as to what's the difference whether a larger number of our fellow forum members are there in person or with us via cyber? Would we all act differently if there were 100 people in attendance rather than the 50 scheduled to attend this year in person. The webcast would only be viewable to forum members. To those who object, would you also object to those of us who have camcorders? How about local news coverage?

I say interesting idea but nay. I'm all for keeping things as simple as poss. This sounds a bit too Big Brothery for me. Can't stand BB. I'm just there to meet some friends, chill out and have a laugh. I have no problem with being identified or photographed but I don't want to feel like I'm on candid camera.

Not to mention, I'd have to breathe in the whole time to hold my pot belly in!

Melia

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The difference between cats and dogs is that dogs come when called, whereas cats take a message and get back to you.

I don't know the first thing about a "live webcast" so this may sound foolish. But does it have to be an all or nothing situation? What I mean by that is, would it be possible to set up your webcam in one defined area, allowing those members who wish to be a part of it to do so, and allowing those members who may not wish to be a part of it, to not do so? I suspect, at the meet and greet for instance, the area viewable by camera would have to be set up off to the side or something, so as not to inhibit the flow and participation of everyone. Is that possible?

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However I'm curious as to what's the difference whether a larger number of our fellow forum members are there in person or with us via cyber? Would we all act differently if there were 100 people in attendance rather than the 50 scheduled to attend this year in person. The webcast would only be viewable to forum members.

Well, speaking only for myself here, depending how much mischief I get into , the number of "witnesses" could become an issue if I have to start paying people off. LOL!

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To those who object, would you also object to those of us who have camcorders? How about local news coverage?

Whether it's a camcorder or a camera, I would hope that wherever someone falls on the spectrum of being concerned about privacy (None, Some, A Lot) that their wishes and circumstances would be treated with respect and consideration. Allowing everyone who is attending to participate freely, openly, and without concern for possible discomfort, either at the gathering or post-gathering (with photo's being posted here). Otherwise one of the most important and meaningful parts of AMG would be lost, and I think that would be tragic.

Finally, regarding your question about local news coverage. Last year we compiled a list of those members who were willing to make themselves available to the media. We did this by asking them to send a pm to Joe. They included information that any media would likely require if they opt to do a story on the gathering. Full legal name, address, contact phone, and a brief bio (gender, length of status etc). Perhaps there is a member attending this year, who would be willing to help coordinate this aspect? The advantage to this was it respected the privacy concerns of members, it provided a potential pool of other members, without the possible awkwardness of asking people to publicly state their willingness/unwillingness (is that a word?) Just a suggestion.

I see a big difference between having 100 people actually at the event vs. having 50 at the event and 50 watching it live on video. With a webcam, the people at the event have no idea who is even watching, so it's not like those viewers are actually participating in the event.

Like Melia, I don't like the idea of being on Candid Camera.

If Alicia Dattner agrees to having her performance recorded, that might be nice.

Dennis:My first reaction when I read this thread was to strike my best Norma Desmond pose--"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille." So very gay! (I am, you know)

My next reaction was the same as many others here--how's that gonna work?

I like the idea of making AMG accessible to those who cannot attend. I also like the idea of photos and/or video to record the event. And there are other options.

How about a live chat (maybe with webcam)? That would make the M&G interactive in a way that a simple webcast could not. 'Twould require at least one Wi-Fi-ready laptop. The uplink logistics would (should) be the same as for a webcast. I believe (but am not certain) that there's a hot spot in that neighborhhod.

Also, since there are hot spots all over town, we could bring more than just the M&G(s) to the web. And my imagination begins to spin out of control.......

Just some thoughts.

Can't wait to meet everyone!!!!!

JR (who just realized he may have inadvertently volunteered for a recon mission)

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It goes like thisThe fourth, the fifth,The minor fall, the major lift,The baffled king composing Hallelujah!

Finally, regarding your question about local news coverage. Last year we compiled a list of those members who were willing to make themselves available to the media. We did this by asking them to send a pm to Joe. They included information that any media would likely require if they opt to do a story on the gathering. Full legal name, address, contact phone, and a brief bio (gender, length of status etc). Perhaps there is a member attending this year, who would be willing to help coordinate this aspect? The advantage to this was it respected the privacy concerns of members, it provided a potential pool of other members, without the possible awkwardness of asking people to publicly state their willingness/unwillingness (is that a word?) Just a suggestion.

[/quote]

I would be willing to do this. I'm planning on writing a feature on AMG and would need this info for photos to be published along with the article. Should I start another thread? In all probability I would need to get releases signed in person, but if I had the info I could fill them out beforehand and save everyone from having to fill out the whole thing.

JR,You hit the nail on the head. My idea was to bring my laptop and connect a simple web camera. The idea was to aim the camera towards the central area of the event location. People would be free to go to the laptop and chat with any forum members who may be viewing. The events I thought this might work well at were the meet and greet and the social hours at the hotel. The hotel has wifi. Still waiting to hear from Crimson Lounge.

There are a few options. Staging the camera in a way that the majority of the event area is viewable to the online audience. Another option, as Rocky mentioned is to set the viewing angle off to the side. Yet, another option would be to set up the cam and computer in an areas where only the person sitting at the computer would be viewable. The third option is my least favorite as it doesn't really bring the event to the other forum members but it will work as a compromise.

Again, this could all be setup pretty securely where only forum members would have access. The website would be password protected only released to long standing members of the forum via a pm request prior to our arrival in SFO. We could have a cutoff for requests one week prior to our arrival and those who have been granted access can be made available to the members in attendance.

How about a live chat (maybe with webcam)? That would make the M&G interactive in a way that a simple webcast could not. 'Twould require at least one Wi-Fi-ready laptop. The uplink logistics would (should) be the same as for a webcast. I believe (but am not certain) that there's a hot spot in that neighborhhod.

Whether it's a camcorder or a camera, I would hope that wherever someone falls on the spectrum of being concerned about privacy (None, Some, A Lot) that their wishes and circumstances would be treated with respect and consideration. Allowing everyone who is attending to participate freely, openly, and without concern for possible discomfort, either at the gathering or post-gathering (with photo's being posted here). Otherwise one of the most important and meaningful parts of AMG would be lost, and I think that would be tragic.

bold added

I agree 100%. So I have to say that I think a webcam set-up like the one on the (missing) sealions would be a very bad idea. I can think of 3 people right now who would be completely skeeved by that idea.

There are a couple of compromises that might work. We could set up a camera/video-free zone where the majority of the action happens, and a separate video zone with webcams pointed away from the crowd, where folks can get face time if they wish. Or, we could ban webcams altogether, and have a text-only chat room with as many laptops as want in.

One wrinkle--it would be very cool to record/broadcast the singer, with her permission of course, but in order to do that we would have to shoot over the crowd. This will bring up a privacy issue for those who absolutely do not want to be on camera. There's a work-around, of course, but it deserves to be discussed.

AMG will be a lot of fun!

JR

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It goes like thisThe fourth, the fifth,The minor fall, the major lift,The baffled king composing Hallelujah!

I personally don't care for the idea of having a text only chatroom with a bunch of laptops set up at the events. This kind of defeats the whole purpose of the gathering. We could could all just sit home and do the same thing. The idea of a live webcast was more for the benefit of those unable to attend due to financial constraints, health, work, etc. then for those in attendace. To allow others in the forum not in attendance to be a part in someway.

To setup a live webcast of the comedian would be too much work for just 15-25 minutes of time. It would be if someone had a camcorder though.

This may all be a mute point anyway. Crimson Lounge doesn't have wifi.

The only place a live webcast would be feasible would be the social hour at the hotel on Saturday and Sunday. What I recommend doing is what several have suggested. Setup the camera so it's view is off to the side, away from the main area of activity. A chat room could also be setup. The social hours aren't major events and officially only last an hour. We can then evaluate after the weekend is over. Based on the feedback from the attendees and the number of views from forum members we can then decide if it was successfull and worth doing in future gatherings.

As long as it's set up in a defined area, I don't have a problem with it. It really doesn't sound that different to the media event that happend last year. Those who wanted to be interviewed participated. Those that didn't, didn't.

Last year we setup a Kodak site just for AMG members to view of our trip to Montreal. It was private and also you can send out the password to only those that attended the event to view the photos to keep your idenity cleared. It was fun and safe. As far as the video site goes that also can be setup through youtube, where the AMG can setup an account for only those that went could view privately.

Last year we setup a Kodak site just for AMG members to view of our trip to Montreal. It was private and also you can send out the password to only those that attended the event to view the photos to keep your idenity cleared. It was fun and safe. As far as the video site goes that also can be setup through youtube, where the AMG can setup an account for only those that went could view privately.

Actually Jerry the kodak site wasn't private. I didn't need no password to see what all you monkeys got up to.

for a webbased livecam that is free check out stickam.com. There is nothing for either party to download and you literally just need a cam, a puter and a connection to go live. Virtually no set-up time. The player also lets you record a live upload for later playback which might be good for the morning after coffeehouse confessionals.

For a sample you can check out my blog where I am currently using this service.